As the holidays approach, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging people to look for and eliminate potential dangers from holiday lights and decorations that could lead to fires and injuries.

It is a wonderful time of the year. It is a period when we reflect on family and think of special times. We decorate our homes is a festive way and eat rich foods. Children salivate over special gifts. Adults reflect on family. It is a time when tradition and culture clearly emerge. The words "tradition" and "culture" are used quite often but just what do they mean?

As I sit beside the fireplace this evening and the holiday season approaches, all is well with the Bowker family. I count the many blessings too numerous to mention that my family and I have recently received. One of the blessings that I am most grateful for is that I am alive and well this holiday season, and that my family and friends are not mourning the loss of a husband, a father, and a brother. But that was almost not the case. My story begins with the events that occurred during a structure fire I responded to on August 29th, 2007 in my community.

I have always been the glass is half empty type guy, which I believe serves me well as a fire department safety officer. It is our job to look at every situation and figure out what is the worst possible thing that could go wrong - and the actual possibility of that happening.

In March the National Fire Protection Association has updated NFPA 1982, Personal Alert Safety Systems, to address safety issues first discovered in December 2005. However recently in an incident in Oneida, just west of Utica, New York a firefighter lost an arm and suffered severe burns from his ear to his leg on his right side, when a building collapse, however he nearly lost his life when his PASS Alarm didn't work.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) led the nation in the fire and emergency services' first Safety Stand Down in 2005. This event added to the momentum of meeting the USFA goal of reducing line-of-duty deaths.

As a new Regional Advocate this position is filling the gaps in my calendar, quickly. Thank you Chief Marinucci. I am not complaining. This is a great way to stand up for what you believe in. Keeping our firefighters safe should be every Fire Chief and Firefighters initiative.

Fifteen hundred mourners gathered on November 7, at the Koger Center, on the campus of University of South Carolina, to remember the seven students who perished in the early morning fire in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, that completely destroyed a beach house on Oct. 28. The victims, most of whom attended the University Of South Carolina were identified as: Cassidy Fae Pendley, 18; Lauren Astrid Kristiana Mahon, 18; Justin Michael Anderson, 19; Travis Lane Cale, 19; Allison Walden, 18; William Rhea, 18; and Emily Lauren Yelton, 18. There were also six other students who barely escaped the fire by jumping out of the windows.
» Also: Common Voices Advocates' Coalition Met in New York City

Tankers account for only a small portion of the apparatus operated by fire departments in the United States, yet they are involved in many of the accidents - a lot of them fatal. Here are 10 deadly mistakes that departments often make when specifying, building, operating and maintaining tankers.

State Fire Commissioner Edward A. Mann has been recognized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for his tireless work to make sure fewer firefighters die in the line of duty.

Region VII has added 2 new advocates, Steve Arnold and Todd Farley are Missouri state advocates. Steve Arnold recently retired as Chief of the Pattonville Bridgeton Terrace F.P.D. and Todd Farley is Deputy Chief at Central Jackson County F.P.D. Another applicant Vickie Schulte, Captain for City of Fulton F.D. is in the process of applying.

The Congressional Fire Services Institute recently posted the newly designed Government Relations section of its website. Providing a broad range of information about the federal government, the redesigned section is an excellent educational tool for individuals interested in learning about the legislative process and the types of federal programs available to the fire and rescue services.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Life Safety Initiatives Program is pleased to announce that Ralph Webster has been selected as a Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program State Advocate for Illinois.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Life Safety Initiatives Program is pleased to announce that Steve Arnold has been selected as a Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Program State Advocate for Missouri.

Capt. Rice of the North Fort Myers Fire Control District, Florida lists what their department has done to adopt the 16 initiatives.

Chief Bruce Metz of the Jackson Center Ohio Fire Department announces their support of the 16 initiatives.